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Who Are They?. www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com. Who Are They?. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33 Jesus’ description of scribes & Pharisees Loved religious titles, Mt. 23:6-10 Put religion on their sleeves, Mt. 23:5, 14. Who Are They?. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,”
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Who Are They? www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
Who Are They? • “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,” • “brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33 • Jesus’ description of scribes & Pharisees • Loved religious titles, Mt. 23:6-10 • Put religion on their sleeves, Mt. 23:5, 14
Who Are They? • “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,” • “brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33 • Who are these people in the New Testament • Sadducees • Lawyers • Zealots • Herodians
Who Are They? Pharisees Mt. 9:34 • Historic background • Pharisee: “separated” or “separatist” • Traced by to 2nd century BC • Pious men who resisted Hellenism • Leadership of middle-class men • Held sway with the masses
Who Are They? Pharisees Mt. 9:34 • Historic background • Strict ceremonial & dietary regulations • Official membership standards stringent • High esteem for oral traditions • Democratic views – equality of men
Who Are They? Pharisees Mt. 9:34 • New Testament actions & beliefs • Made own laws, Mt. 15:1-14 • Strict sect, Acts 26:5 • Opposed Jesus, Mt. 12:9-14 • Believed in an afterlife, Acts 23:8
Who Are They? Sadducees Mt. 3:7 • Historic Background • Possible meanings • Righteous ones • Sons of Zadok • Judges or fiscal controllers
Who Are They? Sadducees Mt. 3:7 • Historic Background • Aristocratic rulers beginning in 1st century • High priesthood & priestly caste • Majority of Sanhedrin council • Wealthy, upper class • Very political • Disappeared after 70 AD
Who Are They? Sadducees Mt. 3:7 • New Testament actions & beliefs • Priestly caste, Acts 5:17 • Denied the resurrection, angels, spirits, • Mt. 22:23-33; Acts 23:6-8 • Sought to keep the status quo, Jn. 11:45-50 • Opposed the apostles, Acts 4:1-3
Who Are They? Scribes & Lawyers Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25 • Historic Background • Copied & studied the Law • Experts in the Law • Lawyers acted as judges • Could be Pharisees, Sadducees, or other
Who Are They? Scribes & Lawyers Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25 • New Testament actions & beliefs • Kept traditions, Mk. 7:1, 2 • Accused Jesus of blasphemy, Mk. 2:1-7 • Tried to entrap Jesus, Jn. 8:2-5 • Hard-hearted, Mt. 21:15 • Responsible for death of Christ – • along with others, Mk. 8:31; 14:1
Who Are They? Zealots • Historic Background • Developed in reaction to • greater Roman control • Used violence & intrigue • Refused to pay taxes • Refused to use foreign language
Who Are They? Zealots • New Testament actions & beliefs • Simon the Zealot – apostle, Lk. 6:15
Who Are They? Herodians • Historic Background • Supporters of Herodian rulers • Political party
Who Are They? Herodians • New Testament actions & beliefs • Sought to destroy Jesus early, Mk. 3:6 • Joined with Pharisees to entrap Jesus, • Mt. 22:15-22
Who Are They? Pharisees Nationalists – repentance & submission to God Zealots Nationalists – resistance & rebellion to Rome Sadducees Aristocrat rulers – good terms with Rome to maintain power Herodians Compromisers – sell-outs to wicked rulers
Who Are They? • Modern manifestations of these groups • are seen in denominations • Religious titles • Outward displays of religious devotion • Creating own laws & regulations • More interest in political power • than spiritual purity • Compromisers with a wicked culture • Enemies of the cross of Christ